Harden misses Sunday practice

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Harden sits out of practice
Guard James Harden was held out of Sunday’s practice with a sprained ankle and is considered a game-time decision to play against the Spurs on Monday. Harden stepped on Elton Brand’s right foot on Saturday against the Mavericks but stayed in the game.

“He’s a big part of what we’re doing,” coach Kevin McHale said. “I hope he can, but we have to wait and see.”

Harden is averaging 24.7 points per game to rank fifth in the NBA. Center Omer Asik, who played a season-low 20 minutes on Saturday, did not practice on Sunday to give him a day to rest.

McHale explains Lin’s low minutes
Guard Jeremy Lin played just 18 minutes for the Rockets on Saturday, his fewest this season, but coach Kevin McHale said holding Lin out was not about Lin’s play but circumstances at other positions.

McHale said he kept Toney Douglas in to match up defensively with Dallas shooting guard O.J. Mayo but that he could not keep James Harden out of the game (Harden played 46 minutes) because Harden’s turned right ankle stiffened when he came out.

“He’s going to be fine,” McHale said of Lin. “I should have found a way to get him in. He did a nice job. He’ll be fine.”

Lin made two of three 3-pointers (his other miss was more of a shove to beat the shot clock) and had three assists, two rebounds and two steals.

“I talked to some of the guys,” McHale said. “I felt that Toney gave us our best chance on Mayo. Toney got into him. Toney tried to push him. Toney dictated what he was willing to give up. Mayo dictated to the rest of our guys, so it was impossible to take (Douglas) out. “

Parsons sorting through struggles
Forward Chandler Parsons has made just five of 22 3-pointers since missing a game with a strained right shoulder. He previously made 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers.

“It’s definitely sore, and it definitely hurts, but it’s not painful, and it’s not going to get worse than it is by playing,” Parsons said. “From the outside looking in, ever since I hurt it, I can’t make a shot. That’s not an excuse. I’m shooting the ball the same way I did at the beginning of the season. I’m going through a little slump right now.”